Facebook paid on average $ 1.782 for each software error identified last year
If you are a computer expert and you are interested earn thousands of dollars from the comfort of your home , initiatives of several technology companies and governments they’ll be interested.
This month the US government is launching for the first once a call for “hunters” software error (called “bug hunters” in English), offering a reward of $ 150,000 for those who manage to detect flaws in the websites of the Department of Defense that country before hackers do.
And that often attacks hackers have catastrophic consequences for organizations that suffer, so many have called the collaboration of security experts cybernetics in exchange for financial incentives .
Those like rewards offered by the US government-succulent consist of sums of money.
Experts valuable
last month the mobile application of private drivers Uber announced it will open a similar call, although companies like Facebook and Microsoft have for years been using this scheme collaborations.
the maximum bonus Microsoft reaches $ 100.000 by the use of “really new techniques to bypass protection created for our latest operating system, “or anything that exceeds the security systems of the Windows platform.
Generally, a program of” hunting “software errors will pay an incentive based on what significance that the finding. Facebook has paid so far about $ 1 million in prize money, but the average payment in 2015 was $ 1.782 per error.
The most prolific hunters came from India, Egypt and Trinidad and Tobago, said the social network.
job Opportunity
“When companies create these programs, ensure that the best hackers analyze their codes “explains computer expert Gianluca Stringhini, assistant professor at University College London (UCL, for its acronym in English) in United Kingdom.
“This is also a way for companies to attract talents “.
there is no doubt that if you are a successful part-time hunter, maybe even you get a steady job, said computer security researcher Chris Vickery, who got his current job just like that.
“When I found one of the databases MacKeeper (software firm), they proposed to hire me to give them advice on attacks and data theft, “he said. “That was a wonderful response.”
Professional Hunter
The Belgian Arne Swinnen is currently listed as the second best hunter errors software in the “Hall of fame” published by Facebook.
This is a long list of people who contributed to the security of various internet platforms to find vulnerabilities before cybercriminals attack.
Swinnen has a full-time job, but in his free during the last months times has won a $ 15.000 finding weaknesses in computer systems.
“sometimes I I delayed two days, others just five minutes. I won a reward of $ 2,500 for an error that cost me five minutes to get . It is my hobby. When you find something, it’s really exciting, “he told the BBC.
Comply Law
There are some considerations to consider when one becomes a software bug hunter. For example, in many countries is Illegal unauthorized access to computer systems.
“It is understood the law and where the boundaries are. When encountering something, disclosure should be responsible, “said cybersecurity expert Alan Woodward, University of Surrey (England).
Professor Woodward warns of responsibilities associated with managing data that perhaps are not encrypted or are as safe as they should.
“We have to fulfill the duty of care data of that person or for that matter ” he added.
– Zoe Kleinman
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